What's Nearby?

Table Of Contents

Introduction

The Island House Bed & Breakfast is located in the old fishing village of Wanchese, on Roanoke Island. It is a small community, that is quiet, quaint, and close to the beautiful Nags Head beaches.

Roanoke Island has many interesting attractions of its own... North Carolina Aquarium, Elizabethan Gardens, Elizabeth II Historic Center, Festival Park, Fort Raleigh Historic Site, Lost Colony and the Wanchese Industrial Fishing Center. Roanoke Island also has some of the best restaurants on the outer banks.

Days at Island House begin with an appetizing southern style buffet breakfast served daily in the dining room which includes fresh fruits, yogurts, assorted juices, tea & coffee, in addition we serve 1 of the following hot entrees: Pancakes, waffles, french toast, various egg recipes, hot fruit compotes, sausage gravy, southern style grits accompanied by bacon, sausage links or ham. After that, the choice is yours. The area's many attractions may capture your fancy but lounging around the house is not without its own appeal. There is a guest pantry open 24 hours a day for our guests' convenience.

There are three rooms and one suite at the Inn. All are decorated with antiques and offer private baths, color cable televisions, radios, and central air conditioning. We provide beach towels, chairs and beach umbrellas for our guests.

The Island House is a Quaint, Quiet, and Unique romantic retreat which provides a smoke free adult atmosphere, although, smoking is permitted outside on the porch.

History

The house was purchased in 1991, and has been in a constant state of renovation since the day we walked through the front door. We have tried to bring this wonderful old house back to her original beauty, with the addition of some modern conveniences for our guests' comfort.

The building has been here since the early 1900s, and has stood through many storms, hurricanes, a fire, an explosion, numerous owners (who were not always kind to her), and at one time she was a two unit apartment house.

The original house did not have baths, was heated by coal stoves, and the kitchen was not attached to the main house. The original kitchen interior was destroyed by a fire along with the porches once wrapped around the kitchen. The fire damage extended into the dining room and living room areas of the house.

The remainder of the house has all the original wood flooring and walls, and most of the glass is the old wavy glass. All the wood to construct the house was cut and sized on the property, and the nails were forged here as well. The original property was over twenty six acres, and was subdivided over the years.

The original owner, George B. Midgett, was a U.S. Coast guardsman who was stationed on Hatteras Island, and commuted to his duty station from Mill Landing just a short distance down what is now Rt. 345. Mr. Midgett's family still own the property on the north and west sides of our property.

About Your Hosts

Roy is a retired construction engineer and ASME boiler inspector, he spent his 28 year career at the Quantico Marine Corps Base, in Quantico, Virginia. On March 3, 1995 he took an early retirement, so we could go forth with our new adventure. His background and experience in building and repair are the sole reason that we were able to consider the renovation on this old house. Roy has single handedly torn out, replaced, and rebuilt the changes to the old section of the house. During the first three years that we owned the house the work was done on weekends and vacations only. Roy has an interest in Coca Cola Memorabilia, and since his teen years has collected and sold arrowheads and Civil War relics that he has found in the fields surrounding Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Jeanne is a retired mortgage banker and had a rewarding career with the former Sovran Mortgage Corporation (a.k.a. Nationsbanc) as a vice-president in charge of Residential Operations. She retired from the mortgage industry to pursue her dream of owning a B&B. Many sleepless nights were spent planning all the decorating, countless hours doing the painting, shopping for antiques, garden planting, menu planning, and general small details for the Island House. Owners of white west highland terriers and bichon frises.

How to Find Us

At North Carolina border, Rt. 168 south to 158 (168 feeds into 158). Stay on 158 all the way to the Outer Banks. Cross the Wright Memorial Bridge and stay on 158 for 20 miles (just beyond Tanger Outlet Mall on right). Bear to the right onto 64/264 across causeway/bridges to second stop light. At light turn left onto Rt. 345 to Wanchese and go approximately 3.5 miles. Bear right at "Y" in road onto Old Wharf Rd. Island House sits on the right off the road directly across form the large white church. When you pull in at night security lights will automatically turn on, park next to the large parking blocks. Please note house has been painted a beautiful pink.

From Southern Points-

Cross over Virginia Dare bridge to Roanoke Island via 64/264 and proceed to the stop light at RT 345, take a right and turn onto RT 345. Go app. 3.5 miles and bear to the right at the fork in the road onto Old Wharf road, Island House sits back off the road in the wooded area and is directly across from the large white church. Look for the Island House sign in the yard, the driveway is between the trees on Old Wharf road directly across from the church entrance. When you pull in at night, security lights will go on, park next to the large parking blocks. Please note house has been painted a beautiful pink